Wellness

How to Create a Personalized Workout Plan

Jan 23 • 2015

Getting in great shape is a goal that many people have, but is often difficult to stick to. Instead of committing to going to the gym every day without a real workout plan, it is important to develop a strategy that works for your lifestyle and focuses on your goals. By really thinking about how fitness can work for you, you can set yourself up for success.

The first thing you need to do is determine what your lifestyle allows in terms of exercise frequency and location. Set a realistic expectation for how often you can work out per week and how long those workout sessions can be. By knowing this, you can better come up with a routine for each session that allows you to get the most out of your time. If you show up at the gym without any idea of where to begin, you’ll spend more time trying to get acclimated than actually working out. You’ll also want to determine where working out will be best for you. For some people, getting to the gym is no problem financially. It also allows the option for group classes, which can be a huge benefit. For others, having the convenience of an at-home workout is best.

Many people think that a workout has to be long, grueling, and involve tons of different exercises. The truth is, you can do just a few different exercises to work out your entire body easily. Find exercises for the front of your legs, back of your legs, push and pull muscles, your core, and your buttocks. Then, choose one exercise for each of these body areas every time you work out. Not only does this strengthen your entire body, but it also allows you to change things up. Also, include some cardio exercises along with the weightlifting to create variety.

A good rule of thumb is to do three to five sets of each exercise when lifting weights. More than this can result in injury or mean that you aren’t lifting weight efficiently. Depending on what your goal is, the number of repetitions varies. For people looking to burn fat and build muscle, do 8-15 repetitions per set. If you want to build size and strength, vary the number of reps you’re doing throughout the week.

No matter how you structure your workout, remember to keep these crucial points in mind:

Always warm up before you begin your fitness routine.

Keep your workout to under an hour at a higher intensity for the best results.

Stretch after your workout to keep your muscles healthy.

Write everything down in a workout journal to monitor your progress and adjust your workout plan if necessary.

Find out more about the fitness options that Baptist offers at their locations, and get your personalized workout plan developed today!